MA Recordings is once again, proud to
be one of the few labels involved in presenting what we believe to be some of
the most elegant and provocative music in the world. In this spirit, we annouce
the debut as a lead solo artist of Portuguese vocalist Maria Ana Bobone.

Maria Ana Bobone is truly one of Portugal's
up and coming singers of note. At an early age, she began singing in church
choirs, later developing her talent to the point that she was asked to perform
as soloist as well. In her late teens, Maria Ana developed an interest in the
traditional song of Lisbon, Fado, also considered by some to be the national
song form of Portugal. More recently, Maria Ana, now 23, has been expanding
her vocal horizons beyond Portuguese church music and Fado, and reveals the
results on her debut as a solo recording artist, "Senhora da Lapa"

MA Recordings fans may remember that
Maria Ana sang on "Luz Destino" (M039A), a somewhat revolutionary album which
presented Fado in a way never before heard: baroque style. This album gained
immediate recognition in Portugal, having been among the 4 albums nominated
in 1996 for the prestigious, national Globus Oro Award.

As for the music on the "Senhora da Lapa",
almost half of it was composed by pianist Joao Paulo Esteves da Silva, a musician
who is definitely one of the most complete and accomplished artists now in Portugal.
He plays piano on all tracks (on Luz Destino, he played Harpsichord exclusively).
Besides Joao Paulo's music, there are 9) Elegia and 10) Flux composed by Portuguese
guitarist Ricardo Rocha who also plays his instrument on 5) Os Teus Olhos and
8) ABC. Addionally, there are 1) Meu Amor me deu um Lenco and 7) Jose Embala
o Menino, two beautiful traditional songs, and 6) Espelho Quebrado, the only
fado on the record. On this fado and 2 other songs: 2) Ternura and 8) Hortela
Mourisca, plays saxophonist extraordinaire Peter Epstein. (For those interested
in hearing other recordings by Joao Paulo and Peter, please check out Joao Paulo's
"O Exilio" M045A a beautiful collection of Joao Paulo's originals recorded inside
the Saint George British Anglican Church in Lisboa. On this recording, along
with Joao Paulo and Peter, also plays Portugal's most well known bassist, Carlos
Bica.)

Like "Luz Destino", "Senhora
da Lapa" was recorded in one of Lisbon's most amazing and beautiful grand
Gothic Cathedrals. Catholic Church authorities requested that the location not
be revealed and hence is not specified on the cover or liner notes. MA is the
only recording company to ever use this historical Cathedral for any recording
projects!

"Senhora da Lapa" is a truely
elegant collaboration between Maria Ana Bobone, Joao Paulo Esteves da Silva,
Ricardo and special guest, Peter Epstein. The recording was completed over a
period of 14 months and at both sessions, the title track, "Senhora da
Lapa" was performed. Because Maria Ana and producer Todd Garfinkle liked
both versions, both were included in the final presentation of the album.